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Sampling for
Plant Analysis
pictorial key to tissue sampling:
www.ncagr.gov/agronomi/pictorial.htm
North Carolina
Department of Agriculture
and Consumer Services
Steve Troxler, Commissioner of Agriculture
Agronomic Division
Colleen M. Hudak-Wise, Ph.D., Director
Plant/Waste/Solution/Media Section
Brenda Cleveland, Agronomist
www.ncagr.gov/agronomi/
(919) 733-2655
Mailing Address
1040 Mail Service Center
Raleigh NC 27699-1040
Physical Address [DHL, FedEx, UPS]
4300 Reedy Creek Road
Raleigh NC 27607-6465
Agronomic Sampling
Folder No. 5
revised April 2014
The Agronomic Division analyzes plant tissue for nutrient content. It measures 11 of the essential nutrients required for plant growth. The plant analysis report
• indicates plant nutrient concentrations,
• identifies deficiencies and toxicities and
• provides recommendations for optimizing yield, quality and nutrient-use efficiency.
Tissue tests assess plant nutrient uptake while soil tests predict nutrient availability. The two tests are complementary as crop management tools, but each has limitations. For example, plant analysis cannot predict the need for lime; soil samples should be taken for this purpose. Soil testing is not the best indicator of nutrients that leach easily, such as nitrogen and sulfur. Tissue tests measure the micronutrients boron, iron and molybdenum, whereas soil tests do not.
Deciding when to sample
To monitor plant nutrient status most effectively, sample during the growth stages recommended for your specific crop (Table 1; see also the Plant Tissue Analysis Guide). Take predictive samples weekly or biweekly during critical periods, depending on management intensity and crop value. Any time you suspect a nutrient-related problem, however, submit diagnostic tissue samples to identify the problem.
The best time to collect samples (when petioles are part of the sample) is between mid-morning and early afternoon. Nitrate nitrogen levels in petioles are especially subject to variation, based on time of day and environmental conditions (drought, cloud cover).
Submitting the sample
Fill out a Plant Sample Information form (with permanent ink or pencil), and submit it with your samples. Find the form online at www.ncagr.gov/agronomi/forms.htm. Tissue sample envelopes are available from regional agronomists and the Agronomic Division office.
Provide as much detail as possible when filling out the form. Record planting date, and note any conditions—drought, disease, injury, pesticide or foliar nutrient applications—that might be relevant.
Give the exact names of the plants you sampled: e.g., flue-cured or burley tobacco. Give each sample a unique identifier that will help you remember which area it corresponds to—such as GOOD, BAD, FIELD1, 15B. You can use up to six letters and/or numbers.
Place each tissue sample in a paper or cardboard (never plastic) envelope, bag or box so drying can begin during transport. Label each sample with the appropriate sample identifier that you indicated on the sample information form. Plan to have samples arrive at the lab within 24 hr of collection. If delay is unavoidable, then air dry or refrigerate samples until shipment
Diagnostic interpretations require more details than predictive. When sending matching soil, solution, soilless media or waste samples, record matching sample IDs in the designated areas on the sample information form. Be sure grower name and address are exactly the same on all matching information forms. Ship all matching samples as a single package addressed to the NCDA&CS Agronomic Division Plant/Waste/Solution/Media Section.
Obtaining the report
Select the Find Your Report (PALS) link on the Agronomic Division home page to access the report-search utility. Reports remain accessible online for about three fiscal years.
For more information on
sampling, interpreting agronomic reports or implementing recommendations,
contact the regional agronomist
assigned to your county.
www.ncagr.gov/agronomi/rahome.htm

Sampling for
Plant Analysis
pictorial key to tissue sampling:
www.ncagr.gov/agronomi/pictorial.htm
North Carolina
Department of Agriculture
and Consumer Services
Steve Troxler, Commissioner of Agriculture
Agronomic Division
Colleen M. Hudak-Wise, Ph.D., Director
Plant/Waste/Solution/Media Section
Brenda Cleveland, Agronomist
www.ncagr.gov/agronomi/
(919) 733-2655
Mailing Address
1040 Mail Service Center
Raleigh NC 27699-1040
Physical Address [DHL, FedEx, UPS]
4300 Reedy Creek Road
Raleigh NC 27607-6465
Agronomic Sampling
Folder No. 5
revised April 2014
The Agronomic Division analyzes plant tissue for nutrient content. It measures 11 of the essential nutrients required for plant growth. The plant analysis report
• indicates plant nutrient concentrations,
• identifies deficiencies and toxicities and
• provides recommendations for optimizing yield, quality and nutrient-use efficiency.
Tissue tests assess plant nutrient uptake while soil tests predict nutrient availability. The two tests are complementary as crop management tools, but each has limitations. For example, plant analysis cannot predict the need for lime; soil samples should be taken for this purpose. Soil testing is not the best indicator of nutrients that leach easily, such as nitrogen and sulfur. Tissue tests measure the micronutrients boron, iron and molybdenum, whereas soil tests do not.
Deciding when to sample
To monitor plant nutrient status most effectively, sample during the growth stages recommended for your specific crop (Table 1; see also the Plant Tissue Analysis Guide). Take predictive samples weekly or biweekly during critical periods, depending on management intensity and crop value. Any time you suspect a nutrient-related problem, however, submit diagnostic tissue samples to identify the problem.
The best time to collect samples (when petioles are part of the sample) is between mid-morning and early afternoon. Nitrate nitrogen levels in petioles are especially subject to variation, based on time of day and environmental conditions (drought, cloud cover).
Submitting the sample
Fill out a Plant Sample Information form (with permanent ink or pencil), and submit it with your samples. Find the form online at www.ncagr.gov/agronomi/forms.htm. Tissue sample envelopes are available from regional agronomists and the Agronomic Division office.
Provide as much detail as possible when filling out the form. Record planting date, and note any conditions—drought, disease, injury, pesticide or foliar nutrient applications—that might be relevant.
Give the exact names of the plants you sampled: e.g., flue-cured or burley tobacco. Give each sample a unique identifier that will help you remember which area it corresponds to—such as GOOD, BAD, FIELD1, 15B. You can use up to six letters and/or numbers.
Place each tissue sample in a paper or cardboard (never plastic) envelope, bag or box so drying can begin during transport. Label each sample with the appropriate sample identifier that you indicated on the sample information form. Plan to have samples arrive at the lab within 24 hr of collection. If delay is unavoidable, then air dry or refrigerate samples until shipment
Diagnostic interpretations require more details than predictive. When sending matching soil, solution, soilless media or waste samples, record matching sample IDs in the designated areas on the sample information form. Be sure grower name and address are exactly the same on all matching information forms. Ship all matching samples as a single package addressed to the NCDA&CS Agronomic Division Plant/Waste/Solution/Media Section.
Obtaining the report
Select the Find Your Report (PALS) link on the Agronomic Division home page to access the report-search utility. Reports remain accessible online for about three fiscal years.
For more information on
sampling, interpreting agronomic reports or implementing recommendations,
contact the regional agronomist
assigned to your county.
www.ncagr.gov/agronomi/rahome.htm